AN award-winning Darlington post office has re-opened following an intense transformation.

Blackwell post office was closed for three days last week, with the old counters being replaced with more modern equipment, technology and security.

The official re-opening was on Friday, but the celebrations were short-lived as the post office soon returned to business as usual.

The post office is now open for even longer than before, with mail items able to be processed from 8am to 8pm seven days a week.

The Blackwell post office recently received an award for achieving a sixty per cent increase in sales of letters and parcel services, winning out against competition from every other post office in the region.

Bob Birk, sub post master, is not complacent about the success of the post office.

He highlighted the efforts of all of the staff involved with the post office and its refurbishment.

Mr Birk also praised the support of the community, saying: “They are the life and soul of this business.”

Mr Birk has been at the Blackwell post office with his wife Bally for four and a half years, and he still has one very clear goal – buying a diamond ring for Mrs Birk.